The community art gallery recently challenged members and non members to enter works into a juried exhibition entitled “Stranger Than Fiction” as its theme.  What could be more intimidating than submitting a banjo into such a competition along side of water color and oil paintings of freakish landscapes, surreal wood and metal sculptures, bizarre fabric wall hangings, and unearthly ceramic pieces and glassworks? With some trepidation, the BRC founder entered a 5-stringer entitled “The Unicorn” to be judged amidst this eclectic field of unconventional works. A bewildering outcome to this venture, his open back banjo was accepted and hung for display at the gala opening reception.

The BRC founder and his wife happily babysit grandchildren twice a week, and all the grandkids have a BRC 5-stringer residing in their homes. Despite no fewer than 10 banjos strategically positioned around the grandparents`  house, including in grandma`s art studio, the youngest grandchild is showing focused interest in his granddad`s mandolin.

Every musical instrument has its own sonic signature, a unique voice. Every musician (present or future) has a favorite singer- be it stringed, woodwind, or brass.  Incredibly, both grandparents won ribbons at the exhibit awards ceremony for works they submitted to the art show. Truth is always more mystifying than fiction.

P.S. Check-out the `Open back 5 string BRC TimberWolf banjo` on eBay April 1-8.

This month a local art gallery hosted a juried exhibit entitled “Indulge” which studies the art of eating and the culture of food. How could a banjo be linked into this theme and win the approval of a discerning art instructor from a nearby campus who would be adjucating the entries? To meet this vexing challenge, the BRC founder fashioned an open back 5 stringer entitled “Country BBQ” hoping its sizzling mother of pearl flames would fire the imagination and approbation of the judge. Alas, no such luck.

The gallery staff, however, were charmed by the banjo and invited the builder to “showcase” the instrument in an anteroom at the “Indulge” opening reception. A teeming throng of patrons crowded the gala event and spilled over into the anteroom during the awards ceremony. While one potential banjo buyer paused briefly to observe the ceremonial distribution of ribbons and cash prizes, another patron quietly purchased the banjo and prepared to take it home. As a courtesy, the BRC builder demonstrated the musicality of the instrument for the new owner by playing a familiar Grammy-award winning 5 string theme on it.

He then offered a wink and the advice that in the event of an energy crisis, this was a dual purpose instrument which could also be used as firewood to barbecue a meal.

P.S. Best Wishes to all for a Happy Groundhog Day.